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"He was just a genius": Shock after former AFL star dies at just 42

Former AFL player Andrew Krakouer has passed away at the age of 42, prompting an outpouring of grief from former teammates, coaches and the broader football community. Krakouer, who played for Richmond and Collingwood, reportedly suffered a suspected heart attack at a family home in Perth on Sunday. His sudden passing has left many in shock, especially those who played alongside him during his impressive AFL career. Having played 102 games for the Tigers, Krakouer made a remarkable return to elite football after a personal setback, going on to play 35 matches for the Magpies. He was a key player in Collingwood’s 2011 grand final against Geelong, where he kicked three goals. Before his Collingwood stint, Krakouer dominated in the WAFL, winning the Sandover Medal in 2010 and delivering a best-on-ground performance in Swan Districts' premiership victory. His 42-disposal, four-goal effort in that grand final remains one of the greatest individual displays in WAFL history. Bouncing back from time in prison, Krakouer was recruited by Collingwood ahead of the 2011 season. He made an instant impact, scoring 35 goals across 23 games and winning Mark of the Year for his spectacular high-flying grab. However, his career was hampered by an ACL injury in early 2012. Despite this setback, he made a strong return later that year, featuring in three finals and kicking four goals in the qualifying final against Port Adelaide. Following a limited 2013 season, he was delisted but continued to be involved in football through media roles. He appeared on the Marngrook Footy Show and later co-hosted Yokayi Footy, also contributing as a commentator on both TV and radio. Tributes have poured in from former teammates and coaches across the country, commemorating Krakouer’s talent and character. “Rest in peace Andrew Krakouer. A beautiful man who was loved by all his teammates. Always greeted you with a hug and a smile. Love to Jimmy and Andrew’s daughters and all his family. Very sad day,” said Richmond great Matthew Richardson. Fellow ex-Tiger and former club CEO Brendon Gale also expressed his sorrow. “So saddened by the tragic and unexpected passing of Andrew Krakouer. Krak was a special talent — but more than that, he was a deeply loved husband, father, son, teammate, and friend. My condolences are with the Krakouer family and all who loved him. Rest easy Krak.” Collingwood’s former coach Nathan Buckley was visibly shaken upon hearing the news while live on radio. “That’s really sad news. That’s tragic, so young at 42,” Buckley said on SEN. “A really calm, quiet teammate, who was respectful and went about his business. I really enjoyed the years with him, that’s really sad for his family and his mates.” Buckley also paid tribute to Krakouer’s footballing prowess, particularly his ability to produce spectacular moments on the field. “We’d get him in whenever we could,” Buckley recalled. “He was just a genius. He was just a player who could do the special things. The hanger he took in 2011 (to win Mark of the Year) was elite. “He just loved the game, found a way to impact, and could do things that other players couldn’t do. He was exceptional.” Krakouer came from a legendary footballing family. His father, Jim, and uncle, Phil, were WAFL and North Melbourne stars in the 1980s, while his cousin, Nathan, played for Port Adelaide and Gold Coast. AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon also extended condolences. “We send our sincere condolences to Andrew’s family and many friends across football,” Dillon said. “To lose him at such an early age is a tragedy, and we hope there can be some peace for his family in this heart-breaking and difficult time. “To all his past teammates at Richmond, Collingwood, the team at AFL media, and all Indigenous players and staff across the industry, our thoughts are with you all.” Krakouer’s impact on the game and his ability to inspire others will not soon be forgotten. Images: Instagram

Caring

Controversy after former officer who tasered Clare Nowland learns his fate

Kristian James Samuel White, the now-former police officer who fatally tasered 95-year-old Clare Nowland, has avoided a prison sentence. A judge described the act as a "terrible mistake" but ruled it fell at the lower end of seriousness for manslaughter cases. White, 35, left the NSW Supreme Court on Friday under strict conditions, including a two-year community corrections order requiring good behaviour and an order to complete 425 hours of community service. The sentencing follows the tragic events of May 17, 2023, when White fired a Taser at Nowland at the Yallambee Lodge aged-care home in Cooma, NSW. Justice Ian Harrison acknowledged the unlawful and dangerous nature of White's actions, stating he had misread or misunderstood the situation. “A frail and confused 95-year-old woman in fact posed nothing that could reasonably be described as a threat of any substance,” he said. Nowland, who suffered from dementia, was holding a knife while using a walking frame and had ignored staff attempts to disarm her. White, after only a few minutes at the scene, discharged his Taser, reportedly saying, "nah, bugger it," before the weapon’s barbs struck her chest. The force of the Taser caused her to fall and suffer a brain bleed, leading to her death in hospital a week later. Justice Harrison recognised the grief and anger of Nowland’s family, stating, “The complete and utter frustration and despair exhibited by her family in the circumstances is easy to understand when things could have so easily been handled better.” While White’s actions were deemed unlawful, the judge noted that he had been called to the aged-care home lawfully and had been required to resolve the situation. “He could not have chosen to do nothing,” Justice Harrison said. During sentencing, White stood expressionless, while members of Nowland’s family were visibly emotional. In a letter to the family submitted to the court, White expressed deep remorse, writing, “I take full responsibility for my actions – I felt and still feel horrible for what happened. I do not expect you to take my apology as a request for forgiveness and I understand that you suffer greatly.” Since the incident, White has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Due to public outrage in Cooma, he will be forced to relocate. White was dismissed from the NSW Police Force in December following his guilty verdict. However, he has initiated legal action to seek a review of the decision. The case has sparked widespread debate over police use of force, particularly in interactions with vulnerable individuals, with the lenient sentence leaving many questioning whether justice was adequately served for Nowland and her grieving family. Images: Supplied

Legal

Princess Diana's former lover opens up in rare interview

Army Major James Hewitt, who had a five-year affair with the late Princess Diana from 1986, has spoken about the royal in a rare television interview with Good Morning Britain on Tuesday. When asked about whether he thinks Diana may have been able to reunite her sons, who have barely spoken in five years, he replied: "I think any mother would be worried and concerned about such a rift, as you put it." "And she'd do her best to try and get them together." Major Hewitt, who now spends his time doing aid work in Ukraine, revealed that the last time he had spoken to the late Princess was "just after" her BBC Panorama interview with Martin Bashir in November 1995, during which she admitted to their affair. He described the conversation as "distant" and admitted that the interview did "create problems" for him from which he was "trying to move on". After the affair was revealed, Major Hewitt was labelled as a "love rat" by the tabloid media and found his reputation in ruins. He also said that the interview was "very distressing" for the late Princess, as someone she had trusted had used their connection to make money. "It was a stitch-up job," he said of the Panorama interview. "It was appalling of Bashir to [have] inveigled, lied to her, criminal activity, absolutely appalling." "As I've said, I hate bullies and bullying and arrogant people and I think it's appalling." Major Hewitt, who was Diana's riding instructor at the time, has previously denied claiming to have been a "father figure" to the princes but has said that he "played with them, swam with them, taught them to ride". The Duke of Sussex had also addressed the rumours that Major Hewitt was his biological father in his memoir Spare, saying that he felt the rumours were designed to turn him into a "laughing stock". "One cause of the rumour was Major Hewitt's red hair, but another was sadism," he wrote in his memoir. Image: Ken McKay/ITV/ Shutterstock Editorial

Relationships

Disgraced former MP Barry Urban dies three months after alleged assault

Disgraced former WA Labor MP Barry Urban has died, three months after an alleged attack at a tyre business in Perth’s southeast. Urban, 56, passed away in hospital on Saturday night, WA Premier Roger Cook confirmed. "Barry was the subject of a dreadfully violent attack in the workplace and has been fighting for his life ever since," Cook told reporters. The incident occurred in November when Urban, who managed the Kelmscott business, had a verbal altercation with a customer. Police allege that 25-year-old Jerry Aniseto Masipau punched Urban in the head, causing him to fall and sustain critical injuries upon hitting the ground. Urban was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital, where he remained in critical condition. Masipau, from Seville Grove, was charged with multiple offences, including grievous bodily harm, common assault, aggravated burglary, reckless driving and having no authority to drive. "Unfortunately, (Mr Urban) succumbed to his injuries and police are now obviously reviewing the charges in relation to that incident," Cook stated. Urban had been working at the tyre business since his release from prison in 2023, after serving 18 months of a three-year sentence for forging records and lying to state parliament. His political career was short-lived. Elected in 2017 for the Darling Range seat, Urban resigned less than eight months later following revelations that he had fabricated academic qualifications and military service records. His downfall began when he wore a distinctive medal to official events, claiming it was awarded for investigating war crimes in the Balkans. Investigations later revealed he had not earned the commendation and had instead purchased it online. Further scrutiny uncovered additional falsehoods, including fabricated university degrees and an inaccurate claim of serving as a sergeant in the West Midlands police force. Urban resigned in May 2018, moments before a parliamentary committee tabled its findings on his misconduct. When sentencing him, Judge Carmel Barbagallo described him as "the real-life Pinocchio of parliament". Premier Cook acknowledged Urban’s troubled past but expressed condolences, saying, "Barry… was someone of perhaps flawed character, none of us are perfect but he was part of the WA Labor family, so we're very sad for him and his family. He was a very jovial guy, a very likeable guy and someone who had his troubles." Image: Facebook

Legal

Former soap star jailed for 28 years

Former soap star Phil Hamer has been sentenced to 28 years in jail after being found guilty of raping and sexually abusing seven girls between 2010 and 2023. Hamer used social media to target and groom children, with one of his victims only being 11-years-old. He targeted his first victim, a 14-year-old girl, on Facebook in 2010. The 34-year-old, who appeared on UK dramas Hollyoaks and Coronation Street, received a 36-year sentence including an eight-year extended licence period after he was found guilty of 33 rape and assault charges. Hamer was convicted of a total of 41 charges, including eight counts of rape, six counts of sexual assault, six counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and one count of sexual activity with a child. “These were no relationships. You manipulated and groomed these young girls, inexperienced and impressionable as they were, in a way that was controlling and coercive,” Judge Sarah Johnston reportedly told Harmer, per the BBC. Other offences include taking indecent images of his victims, many of them teenagers at the time they were abused, according to Greater Manchester Police. “After one victim came forward, Hamer’s phone was seized which enabled police to trace further victims,” the police said. “In his police interview, Hamer showed a denial for any wrongdoing in his actions. He did not believe that he was a sexual predator and that his actions caused severe harm and distress to his victims,” Detective Constable Denise Garde said. “He incited his victims to send him hundreds of pictures and videos over a period of seven years. One victim was in fear that Hamer may disclose the pictures to others or come to their address. “After seizing his devices, we later found voyeuristic videos and pictures Hamer had taken of people in changing rooms who were not aware they were being filmed.” Hamer would also send unsolicited pictures to his victims and tracked their movements. During his trial, one of Hamer's victims read out a heartbreaking statement about the toll of the abuse in court. “Philip Hamer, the man who took away my innocence at such a young age,” the victim said. “The man who made me feel so ashamed of myself for so many years. The man that made me feel disgusted in myself. The man that made me feel so lonely as I was too afraid to open up to anyone, I couldn’t even speak to my mum, my friends, my family. “He made me feel fear, distress and trauma no young girl should have to go through. He took away my spark and gave me so much anxiety. “For years I was too ashamed to look at myself in the mirror, as all I saw was the girl that a man lusted over. “He will never earn my forgiveness for what he did to me. He doesn’t deserve it. But I am no longer going to let him have a hold on my life like he once did. “I can now continue to succeed in life, knowing I finally have the justice me and the other girls whose lives he impacted deserve. “This man changed the course of my life, what he did to me impacted on my schooling massively and it isolated me from my friendship group. “When I should have been enjoying school, growing up having new experiences with friends, I was controlled by that man, making me believe that he would disclose my worst secrets to my friends. “This impacted on my relationships, making me feel guilty for what he did to me.” Image: Manchester Phoenix

Legal

Karl Stefanovic lifts the lid on former Today co-hosts

Karl Stefanovic has shared what he really thinks about the women he has shared The Today Show hosting duties with, such as Jess Rowe, Tracy Grimshaw and Lisa Wilkinson. In a candid tell-all interview with Stellar magazine's Something To Talk About podcast, Stefanovic discussed the highs and lows of hosting Today since he joined alongside Tracy Grimshaw in February 2005. “I wasn’t overly nervous, I just knew that I didn’t know enough,” Stefanovic admitted, adding that it took “some time” for him to feel he was no longer out of his depth. After just one year on the show, Grimshaw announced she would be leaving Today to host A Current Affair, as Karl recalled the cheeky way she informed him of her imminent departure. “I remember I was late for work because I’d left my shoes at home – I ended up getting Ray Martin’s shoes,” he told the podcast host. “So I came into the studio like, ‘Hey, Trace, look at this. I’ve got Ray Martin’s shoes.’" “Tracy leans across and goes, ‘You got his shoes? I got his job.’ That’s how she broke it to me. She denies that story, but it’s 100 per cent accurate.” Grimshaw was then replaced by Jess Rowe, whose hosting role with Today was short-lived, as Karl admitted Rowe had been “pilloried”. The mum-of-two was sacked from Today after returning from maternity leave, and her departure made headlines at the time when it was alleged then-Nine boss Eddie McGuire had spoken about wanting to “bone” (fire) Rowe during a meeting with Nine executives. “It was shocking, the treatment that she had. She was called the most heinous things, and I was just trying to survive,” he explained on Stellar’s podcast. “I’ve apologised to Jess since then, but at the time I just didn’t know how to navigate my own future, let alone be there for her in the way that I should have.” Rowe was then replaced by Lisa Wilkinson in 2007, who stayed with the show for ten years. While there was much public speculation about Lisa and Karl's relationship after her dramatic exit from Today, Stefanovic told Stellar that he doesn’t “waste any time” of his life “thinking about any negative parts” of their long professional stint together. “But this I will say about Lisa: genuinely adored working with her. I found her to be an incredibly interesting, intelligent, funny woman,” he insisted. “She taught me so much about the craft of conversation, and we had a really beautiful relationship. So there is no ill will. Only great things came from that.” The longtime breakfast TV host currently sits alongside Sarah Abo at the desk, for which he describes himself as “so fortunate”. “In this game, there’s stuff you have control of and there’s stuff you don’t. At any point on any given day, I can be replaced. The show is bigger than I am,” Stefanovic pointed out. “I don’t see Sarah ever being replaced. And I genuinely have no interest in working with anyone else." Image credits: Nine

Jamie Oliver opens up on former feud with Gordon Ramsay

Jamie Oliver has opened up about his former feud with Gordon Ramsay on The Louis Theroux Podcast. The 49-year-old told Theroux that after years of exchanges with the Hell's Kitchen star, their wives Jools Oliver and Tana Ramsay were the ones who stepped in an encouraged them to patch things up. "I was a target [for] probably 10 years, I think, it was regular," Oliver said of Ramsay. "I generally used to bite [back] once a year, and then that used to set him off for another year ... I think it kind of generated the noise, it was serving its purpose for him - I mean, I'd have to ask Gordon what it was all about. "Cause we never fell out, we got on for the first couple of years, and then - as he did more TV - it just went on and on and on, and it was quite, it was painful but in the end it was Jools and his wife Tana that sorted it out." Oliver revealed that despite their former feud, his kids are friends with Ramsay's children. "It was like, 'come on dads, grow up' so I think that both of us got a telling off, and then we went to have a drink and put it all to rest and let bygones be bygones," he said. When Oliver's Italian chain went under, Ramsay was "very supportive" and "very kind", even sending him messages of encouragement. Oliver also opened up on his feud with Marco Pierre White, and said he was "destroyed" to hear his "hero" slam him in the press and didn't know what sparked it as they never worked together. "He doesn't like me at all, still doesn't," he said, but added "that's fine, I don't need anything from him". "I still think he was like a game changer, he was still my hero for that period of my life but that's life, and it's not just Marco, it's lots of people," Oliver said. Image: Alan Davidson/ Shutterstock Editorial

Food & Wine

Former investigator's candid William Tyrrell admission

Gary Jubelin, the former lead investigator of the William Tyrrell case, has admitted that he is still obsessed with the toddler's disappearance a decade after the child went missing. Jubelin was removed from the case after illegally recording a then-suspect Paul Savage in 2017 and 2018. He quit the force in 2019 and was prosecuted and convicted and lost his subsequent appeal. He recently spoke out on Stellar magazine's podcast, Something To Talk About, and revealed that he cannot let the case go, despite his removal from the official investigation. "I am still passionate about the William Tyrrell matter. I can't let it go," he said. "There was criticism of things I did. I still stand by what I did. The courts have criticised me. "I've got to accept the findings of the court. But I also believe the courts are only as good as the information that's been provided to them." His comments come after an inquest examined the three-year-old's disappearance from his foster grandmother's home at Kendall, NSW in September 2014. Jubelin also called out the unconfirmed police theory that they believed William's foster mother was involved in the three-year-old's disappearance. "When I was running the investigation, I had another look at the family, and there was a strike force to explore some aspects of it, very vigorously had a look at the family again, overt and covert investigative techniques. "I came away from that very confident that the foster mother and foster father had no involvement in William's disappearance. "The foster mother gave evidence in support of me at my hearing and was also critical of senior police. "Then she becomes a person of interest after she criticised senior police, and that's been leaked to the media. "Something about this does not feel right." He added: "I can't let it go, I won't let it go, and it's not me losing perspective, and it's not me trying to justify my position. I think we - and I'm still including myself as a police officer in this term - should be judged on the way that investigation was handled. "I don't know how the public could possibly have confidence in what's going on. "There was a coronial inquest, and we've heard the commissioner for police say there's only one suspect, pointing the finger at the foster mother, and there is no evidence to support that. "You can't make allegations like that." He also said that he believed the public has a right to be critical of the investigation. "In terms of closure, I think there really needs to be some line of inquiry over what's happened with that investigation. "I'm not seeing things come out at the inquest that I thought were relevant. "A young child has disappeared, and that shouldn't get lost in all the politics and infighting. We all should be working in the same direction to bring some closure." Jubelin admitted that his removal from the Tyrrell investigation "hurt me more than losing my career." "I'd made the commitment to William Tyrrell's family, foster and biological, I'd do whatever was humanly possible." Image: NSW Police

Legal

"It doesn't go away": Former NSW premier reflects on Lindt siege

Former NSW premier Mike Baird has reflected on the Lindt cafe siege that left two hostages dead in December 2014, revealing his struggle with post-traumatic stress. Baird, who was the state premier at the time of the attack, said it was his mother - who is a psychologist - who first noticed his signs of PTSD after he was tasked with coordinating a response to the siege. "I ignored it and there was other things to get on with and be busy about. But I should have listened," Baird told <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/60-minutes/mike-baird-former-nsw-premier-mental-health-struggle-10-years-after-lindt-cafe-siege/e5376455-411a-4b25-b71d-526eb86f7995" target="_blank" rel="noopener">60 Minutes</a>. Reflecting on the terrifying day, he said, "Everyone just wanted them out. And you know, for it not to happen, there's a deep grief in that. And I think the impact is felt by everyone." "To have that loss of Tori and Katrina, I'll never lose that," Baird said, referring to the two hostages who were tragically killed during the siege. "It's just impossible not to feel guilt." Baird admitted he struggled to validate his own mental struggles, saying it feels like a very small part of the impact the siege had on Australians, including the enormous pain felt by the families of cafe manager Tori Johnson and barrister Katrina Dawson who lost their lives. "In my mind there's a sense of, 'I shouldn't be impacted that way'," Baird said. "I was just there as an observer and trying to coordinate a response." Several hostages who survived the terrifying ordeal, including Louisa Hope, told 60 Minutes that the memories will never leave them. "For me personally it does not go away, but it is the thing that pushes me to continue to find the good or to find a good out of that awful situation," she said. Image credits: 60 Minutes

Caring

Disgraced former cop launches legal action against NSW Police

The disgraced former cop who was found guilty of manslaughter over the fatal tasering of a 95-year-old has launched an appeal to get his job back with the NSW Police. Former constable Kristian White faced an eight-day trial in November over the death of Clare Nowland, who White tasered in a nursing home last May. The deliberations lasted four days before the jury found Mr White guilty of unlawfully killing Mrs Nowland either by way of criminal negligence or a dangerous or criminal act. Just days after the guilty verdict, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb dismissed White from the police force. “Today I have determined that I do not have confidence in the officer’s suitability to continue as a police officer,” Commissioner Webb said in a statement at the time. “Accordingly, I have removed him from the NSW Police Force and he has been advised via his legal counsel.” On Monday, it was revealed Mr White had launched legal action against Commissioner Webb with the state’s Industrial Relations Commission, with the intention of having his job with the NSW Police reinstated. “NSW Police have been advised a former officer who was attached to Monaro PD, has filed in the Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales an application for review under s 181E of the Police Act 1990,” NSW police said in a statement on Monday. “Given the matter is before the IRC no further comment can be made.” Mr White’s hearing, with the case name Kristian James Samuel White v Commissioner of Police, is listed for December 19th. Image credits: ABC News South East NSW: Floss Adams/ news.com.au

Legal

Former Nine CEO's new major role

Former Nine Entertainment chief executive Hugh Marks has been appointed the new managing director of the ABC. Marks, who was the chief executive of Nine Entertainment from 2015 to 2020 will replace the ABC's current managing director, David Anderson, who resigned from the position a year after being re-appointed for a second five-year term. Following an “extensive” domestic and international search for a replacement, the ABC board voted unanimously for Marks to take on the role, with ABC chair Kim Williams describing Marks as "an unusually good fit" for the national broadcaster. He added that Marks’ experience was “critical” for the broadcaster’s future. Marks said he was "energised" about leading the ABC. "All Australians, when they want to know the truth, or the facts, or at least the different perspectives on an issue so that they're informed, know that they can come to the ABC and trust that it's that place that they're going to get [that]," he said. When asked about his top priorities, he said: "We should just focus [on]: What is it that we can do well? How can we do it well?" "Focusing on those things and making choices to prioritise on the things that you can do well, I think, is a discussion we're all going to have to have." Image: ABC

Money & Banking

Former top cop's shocking William Tyrrell call

The former NSW police commissioner has made a sobering call about the future of the William Tyrrell investigation. In an exclusive interview with <a href="https://www.news.com.au/national/crime/former-police-commissioner-says-william-tyrrell-case-might-never-be-solved/news-story/e656596fba877ed0af0f10b528f90f3b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a> podcast Witness: William Tyrrell, former police commissioner Mick Fuller said that despite running an "extremely professional investigation”, he was doubtful if the case would ever be solved. “It was never going to be easy to solve and maybe it won’t get solved this time,” he said. “But, you know, people won’t give up … there are new police coming through that will take over this case from (current lead detective) Dave Laidlaw at some stage, and there’ll be another fresh set of eyes there.” William Tyrrell was just three years old when he disappeared from his foster grandmother's home in Kendall, NSW on September 12th 2014. No one has been charged or arrested in connection to his disappearance, and the team investigating the case Strike Force Rosann has recovered no forensic or eye witness evidence to indicate what happened to the child. At the time of Fuller's retirement in 2022, Detective Chief Inspector Mr Laidlaw was brought in to lead a refreshed Strike Force into Tyrrell's disappearance. At the time, Fuller told 2GB the group assembled was “one of the best teams we’ve seen” and was hopeful of a breakthrough in the investigation. Speaking with news.com.au, Mr Fuller said, “I would love to say that this matter was solved before I retired.” “Unfortunately, it wasn’t. And sometimes it takes 30, 40 years for these type of matters to be solved,” he said. “And unfortunately, then sometimes they’re never solved.” Image credits: NSW Police

Legal

Former William Tyrrell suspect changes story

Paul Savage, an 80-year-old pensioner who was once questioned by detectives over the disappearance of William Tyrrell, has shared a different version of his actions to what he previously told police. Savage told news.com.au's podcast on the case Witness: William Tyrrell, that he spotted part of a child’s Spider-Man costume – matching the one William was famously last seen wearing – a day earlier than he had reported to police. In 2017, detectives ran a covert surveillance operation while Savage was being pursued as a person of interest. At the time, they set up a Spider Man suit on the bushtrack the pensioner walked each day near his Benaroon Dr home. On the first day of the sting, the surveillance team saw him stop and look in the direction of the suit for 12 seconds before continuing on. Detectives believed Savage had seen the suit, but he insisted that he did not see it until the second day it was there, saying: “I’ve never seen it the day before. “Why would I leave it a day and then go down and ring up? Why would I do that?” The 80-year-old has now told news.com.au that he did see part of the suit on the first day, but as it was only the top, he wasn't sure if it was William's and thought to himself “I don’t know about that”, he claimed. On the second day when he said he saw the whole suit, Savage "thought it was probably his [William's]." When asked why he didn't tell police of his sighting on the first day, he told the podcast: “I’ve left it a bit longer than I should have but it will come out eventually.” The podcast also revealed the secret police recordings made inside the pensioner's house, which were previously tendered in court. The police had been listening in to a bug in Savage's home and car for several weeks and continued to use audio surveillance on him until November 2017 following his police interview. Savage, who had lost his wife in his mid 70s, would often speak to himself or appeared to be talking to her. In one of the recordings after the police interview, he was recorded saying: "Make sure you don’t tell anyone, Love,” the court heard. “They’re right after me. Don’t tell anyone, Love. Please, they’re right after me. Sorry,” he continued. At other times he was heard saying: “I couldn’t hurt a kid,” and later “You’re sick. You bastards want to pin it on me. You can’t do your job so you want to pin it on me." Savage, who lives across the road from where William vanished, has never been charged and denies any knowledge of what happened to him. He also told the publication that police had not formally spoken with him after former lead detective Gary Jubelin, who questioned him, was taken off the case. He has never been officially informed whether he is still a person of interest in their investigation. Images: news.com.au

Legal

Former Home and Away star's joyful baby news

Former Home and Away stars Rebecca Breeds and Luke Mitchell are expecting their first child together. The Australian actress and her co-star turned husband confirmed the happy news on Instagram. The 37-year-old actress made her little baby bump debut at the Adelaide Film Festival and shared a picture of herself on the red carpet looking stunning in a form-fitting pink dress. “VERY excited to share baby Mitchell and @kangarooislandmovie coming sooooooooon! Thanks @adlfilmfest for having us and everyone who came to support us🙏🤍,” she wrote on Instagram on Tuesday. The mum-to-be rested one of her hands on top of the baby bump as she proudly smiled for the cameras. The actress was at the festival for the premiere of her new film Kangaroo Island on the event's closing night. Her husband commented on the post with a series of heart-eyed emojis. Breeds' co-stars and fellow actors were quick to congratulate the couple in the comments. “Congratulations Bec and Luke! Very exciting news,” Home and Away star Lynne McGranger said. “Ahhhhh amazing you guys! This is the best news!” former Home and Away actress Jessica McNamee added. “Congrats!!!!!” A Perfect Pairing actor Adam Demos said. The couple first met on the set of Home and Away in 2009 and quickly became a fan-favourite off-screen relationship. Breeds played Ruby Buckton on the soap between 2008 and 2012, while Mitchell played Romeo Smith between 2009 and 2013. The couple tied the knot in January 2013 and went to live and work in the US for years before returning to Australia. Images: Instagram/ Seven

Relationships

Former The Voice contestant wins Melbourne Cup

A former The Voice contestant has won the Melbourne Cup. Two years ago, Robbie Dolan, who was in Rita Ora's team, placed in the top 24 of The Voice Australia, and now he has celebrated an even bigger win after taking home the Melbourne Cup. Dolan, who was born in Ireland and is a keen jockey, first moved to Australia in 2016 when he was still figuring out his career path. “I came here eight years ago with an ambition of just having a crack,” the 28-year-old told the Today show on Wednesday morning. “Really just having a go, working hard and seeing what happens – and I’m sitting here with the Melbourne Cup.” While he had little luck on the reality TV show as he got eliminated in the sing-offs, his horse racing career has been more fruitful. Dolan started his career at the age of 17 in Ireland, where he participated in a nine-month training program and worked as an apprentice for about three seasons before trying his luck in Australia. Both his father and grandfather were successful riders in Ireland and it seems that racing is in his blood, after he and his five-year-old gelding Knight’s Choice pushed past Zardozi and nudged Warp Speed out of the winning spot 20m before the finish line. While he has celebrated the big win, the jockey remains humble as he revealed the key to winning the Cup was "a lot of luck". “You know, I just needed the runs to open in front of me, and thankfully they did," he said on the Today show. Plus, it helps when you've got a “good little horse” like Knight’s Choice. “He’s an underrated little horse and proved a lot of people wrong yesterday.” As for his singing career Dolan may need to give it a rest for the time being, saying: “My voice is half gone from last night." Images: Instagram

Music

Former pilot shares tips for fighting jet lag

A former pilot has shared his fool-proof tips for beating jet lag when you’re flying to the other side of the world. As an ex-airline pilot, Jeremy Burfoot knows a thing or two about dealing with dreaded jet lag. After his years flying Qantas planes to every corner of the globe, Captain Burfoot has revealed to <a href="https://travel.nine.com.au/latest/how-to-beat-jet-lag-ex-airline-pilot-shares-hack-for-flights-to-europe/656b0602-9cd2-4923-b3b4-1310a2613235">9Travel</a> the unique way he would combat the condition while he was working. "I used to try and stay in a time zone of where I was living," he told 9Travel. "So I went to London, I would just sleep during the day and go out at night." However, for those who need to be up during usual hours, he advised trying to avoid one thing. "The first day you get there, spend all day in the sun, in the daylight," he says. "Resist having an afternoon nap so you're really tired when you go to bed." Captain Burfoot went on to share his hacks for anyone flying from Australia or New Zealand to Europe, which can be some of the most gruelling flight paths in the world. "If I was planning to go to Europe, I would try to split it into two, try to fly both of the days in the daylight," he said. "You'd want to be on a flight to Singapore out of Australia that leaves in the morning, so you're basically doing a daylight flight to Singapore, then you have an overnight, eat some curry or something.” "And the next day catch a daylight flight to Europe. So it doesn't actually feel like you're up in the middle of the night." Image credits: Captain Jeremy Burfoot

Travel Tips

Disturbing details emerge about former suspect in William Tyrrell's disappearance

An investigation into the disappearance of William Tyrrell has raised questions about why a man who was once considered a person of interest was not called by police to give evidence on the case. The man, who has not been named, allegedly had a shrine of the missing boy at the end of his bed, containing a collage of pictures and news reports, as well as handwritten poetry quoting Gary Jubelin, the former lead detective on the case. Mr Jubelin, who was taken off the investigation in 2019, has previously written to NSW’s director of inquests saying the man’s behaviour was “concerning” and he should be called as a witness. However, the man shared with <a href="https://www.news.com.au/national/crime/former-william-tyrrell-suspect-had-shrine-to-missing-boy/news-story/1fbf310d22250c00a8cc2de081d9e77b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a>'s investigative podcast into Tyrrell's disappearance revealed that he was never called to give evidence. When questioned by the outlet's podcast - which clarified that they were not suggesting any wrongdoing by the man who has never been charged with any offences - he said he was “different from the mainstream” and denied any involvement in the case, despite not having an alibi for the day the then three-year-old disappeared. The man, whose property is a few hundred metres through the bush from Benaroon Dr where William went missing, said he was home alone at the time the toddler was reported missing. The man's property was searched two days after William was last seen, and was placed under police surveillance years later. During this time, police uncovered barrels of small animal bones at his property. When asked about them, the man first denied they were there, then claimed they were planted on his property by police. “What I don’t like is the way people who are slightly different are singled out here,” he said. “They get harassed, they get persecuted because they’re odd.” Asked about the police investigation, he said, “I don’t like the way people are presumed guilty until proven innocent." “It could have been someone who was driving past (who was responsible for William’s disappearance). That’s as likely as anything else isn’t it?" Mr Jubelin, who left the police in 2019 and was subsequently convicted of illicitly recording conversations with another person of interest, said he did not question the man in detail at the time as he expected him to be called at the inquest. “(The man) should at the very least be called as a witness,” Mr Jubelin wrote to coronial officials in 2020 after leaving the police force. “There were a number of things about (the man) that I consider concerning.” “What was not put to him and is most concerning is he had what could best be described as a shrine to William Tyrrell at the end of his bed. This included a picture of William and quotes from myself regarding the investigation." “I had an expectation this would be done at the inquest.” Image credits: NSW Police

Legal

Former Today Show host's surprise return

It's been almost two months since Brooke Boney wrapped up her final <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/today-show-star-s-teary-farewell" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Today Show</a>, and bid farewell to viewers after five years on the show to further her studies at Oxford University in the UK. The former news and entertainment presenter made a surprise return to the Today show on Thursday morning, sharing updates on her latest adventure to hosts Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo. Since settling in London, she was a guest at a reception held by none other than King Charles and Queen Camilla. The royals hosted a luncheon for Commonwealth countries at St James Palace, and the event was attended by other high-profile Aussies such as Cate Blanchett and Kathy Lette. "It was so wonderful, you go there and the whole experience is pretty surreal," the proud Gamilaroi Gomeroi woman told the Today hosts. "And I think especially as an Aboriginal person, it's like, oh how do I engage with this?' You know, it's a very complicated history between us and the royals but I thought, I'd rather be someone who's in the room and having conversations, than someone who's not." <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DAoszVotXgp/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DAoszVotXgp/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Kathy Lette (@kathy.lette)</a> </div> </blockquote> She also admitted that she was curious to see the inside of the palace, and while her brush with royalty was exciting, there was another guest at the event she was equally excited to see. "Do you know who else was there? Grace Jones," she revealed. "I was like, 'wait, oh, hang on, hang on, that is THE Grace Jones! I'm sure this was the tamest party that she's ever been to, because I've heard some very wild stories about Grace Jones." Image: Today

Body found in search for wife of former rugby star

A body has been found in the search for Jenny Hastings, the wife of the former Scotland rugby star Scott Hastings. Jenny, 60, went missing at Wardie Bay, a wild swimming spot near Edinburgh, on Tuesday. A massive search involving police, ambulance and coastguard crews was launched in the Firth of Forth, according to The Sun. Despite their efforts, the search was stood down on Tuesday night. On Saturday afternoon, police said a woman's body was found in the Hound Point area of South Queensferry, near Edinburgh. Formal identification has yet to take place, but police said that: “The family of missing woman Jenny Hastings has been informed.” They also said "there did not appear to be any suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal". Police were treating her disappearance as a “high-risk missing persons case,” as Jenny struggles with her mental health. Her family previously issued a statement amid fears she was dead. “It appears that she wished to end her suffering in what was a regular and healing place for her," they said. “She loved the water but unfortunately her mind was not in a place of safety. “The Hastings family are absolutely heartbroken. We miss our Jenny. “She leaves a gaping hole in all our hearts and hope that she is returned to us safely so that we can celebrate her remarkable life.” Scottish Rugby also shared a statement on social media yesterday, sending their love and support to the Hastings family. “Scottish Rugby sends its love and support to Scott Hastings, Scotland cap 848, after his wife Jenny was reported missing whilst swimming earlier this week. “Our thoughts are with their children, and the wider Hastings family, at this heartbreaking time.” Jenny had been open about her struggles with mental health. In March 2017, she disappeared from the couple's Edinburgh home for 36 hours and walked to the Pentland Hills while she was suffering from depression. The couple both became ambassadors for charity Support in Mind Scotland and devoted work to helping others with their own mental health by staying active. They helped launch the 100 Streets challenge, encouraging people to get out and exercise with friends. Images: news.com.au

Caring

Former Qantas CEO to have bonuses slashed

Former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce is set to have his bonuses slashed by $9 million. The decision comes after the airline pledged to implement all 23 recommendations made in its review of key governance matters, which were revealed in an update on 2023 financial year executive remuneration. Joyce, who left his role as the Qantas CEO in September 2023, will have his last annual salary with the airline cut by $9.26m, leaving him with $1.8 million. His hefty bonuses were withheld amid mounting pressure from investors following a string of controversies, including the illegal sacking of 1,700 workers, the selling of tickets on already cancelled flights and allegations of anti-competitive behaviour. Qantas released a statement on Thursday saying Mr Joyce's whopping salary led to a number of mistakes that lead to “considerable harm” across multiple areas of the company. “The events that damaged Qantas and its reputation and caused considerable harm to relationships with customers, employees and other stakeholders were due to a number of factors,” the statement read. Following a settlement with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), the airline admitted to “misleading customers in relation to flight cancellations processes” and with the approval of the Federal Court, will pay a $100m penalty on top of also agreeing to a $20m customer remediation program. Incoming Qantas chairman John Mullen said it was important that the board learns from previous mistakes. “It’s important that the board understands what went wrong and learns from the mistakes of the past as it’s clear that we let Australians down,” he said. “As the national carrier it is our duty to make sure we always act in the best interest of stakeholders and hold ourselves to the highest level of accountability.” Image credits: Getty Images

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